Help me choose some lab tools [Part 2: Power supply]

[cio74]

Hello,

Completing my small amateur projects lab, after the Fluke 289 DMM aquisition now I am looking to buy a good quality power supply with some features. I did some research and I have these on my list:

- BK Precision 9120A  - 0-32V, 0-3A single output, programmable DC
- Rigol DP1308A - 0-6V 5A, 0+-25V 1A, triple output, progammable DC
- GW INSTEK - PSP-2010 - single output, 20V 10A, programmable DC

Any other recommendation will be great, I would like to see on the display both voltage and amps at the same time, best if I can see the presents as well. All of the above power supplies does that.

[metalphreak]

http://thesignalpath.com/blogs/2011/08/30/rigol-dp1116a-and-dp1308a-programmable-power-supply-review/

Review of the rigol triple looks good. I haven't read about any of the others so I can't comment. The nice big display as well as built in ethernet are handy.

[olsenn]

Is there a particular reason you need a programmable supply? You can get an Instek GPS-4303 or BK Precision 1760A/1672 for far less and they are tripple output. Don't pay for features you don't need

[cio74]

I read the Rigol review, it sounds good, not sure about Rigol as a trusted brand but I've read some positive feedback replies here on forum.

Is there a particular reason you need a programmable supply? You can get an Instek GPS-4303 or BK Precision 1760A/1672 for far less and they are tripple output. Don't pay for features you don't need

I would like to dial a voltage or current instead of rotating a knob, most/all of these power supply got some connectivity like serial or/and ethernet which sometimes could be useful. I'm a software engineer I might create a piece of software to talk to them, sounds interesting. Then I would like to know what my presents are, like voltage anf current. Some power supplies display only actual values not the maximum preset (for some there is no way to know which value of current you set as maximum). Finally, the price difference is not that high.

[IanB]

I would like to dial a voltage or current instead of rotating a knob

I think you will want a rotating knob even if there is programmable control. Knobs are one of the best human interface devices ever invented, and you will soon find yourself wanting knobs to turn if your power supply doesn't have any.

[cio74]

I would like to dial a voltage or current instead of rotating a knob

I think you will want a rotating knob even if there is programmable control. Knobs are one of the best human interface devices ever invented, and you will soon find yourself wanting knobs to turn if your power supply doesn't have any.

After reading your post I was counting how many devices I use have a knowb vs how many got a keypad. As a ham radio I absolutely love the big VFO knob on my Yaesu FT1000MP MkV transceiver along with the rest of small knobs, I wouldn't like them on a keypad. But that's because I'm a bit old fashioned and disagree with modern SDR equipment regardless of their performance. Apart from that, no other equipment I am using got a knob. I agree that having a knob on the power supply it could be very useful while changing some parameters and watching the feedback you get from the circuit, I'll probably go for the BK power supply, it has both combined in one piece of equipment.